Discrimination Costs:

The Boycott Strategy

by
Terry Schleder, Director, Boycott Colorado, Inc.
The Colorado Boycott is a powerful grassroots movement that is working to
fight the religious right and stop the spread of anti-gay & lesbian ballot
initiatives across the United States.

On November 3, 1992, Colorado became the first state to legalize
discrimination against gays, lesbians & bisexuals at the ballot box.
Colorado's Amendment 2 is part of a nationwide attack by the religious
right on civil rights everywhere. At least ten states will face petition
drives in fall 1993 which, if sufficient signatures are gathered, will
thrust those states into the divisive and expensive struggles that cost
Colorado and Oregon millions of dollars and great political divisions in
1992.

Since the passage of Amendment 2, hate crimes against gay men and lesbians
have jumped by more than 400%. Five gay men have been stabbed. Lesbians
wearing "No on 2" buttons have been physically attacked. Colorado Springs
is headquarters to more than 55 religious right organizations. Many gay
activists have left the state. There has even been an Amendment 2-related
suicide.

In the seven months since Amendment 2's passage, the Colorado Boycott has
garnered national attention and support. As of June 1993, more than 60
companies have canceled conventions or meetings in Colorado, and more than
110 groups have called for a boycott of Colorado to protest Amendment 2.
Some 20 U.S. municipalities have severed ties with Colorado because of the
anti-gay initiative. New York City has divested its stock holdings in any
Colorado companies, and canceled a contract for new municipal buses.
Ziff-Davis Publishing had planned to relocate their operations to Colorado;
in the wake of Amendment 2, they reconsidered, costing the state $1 billion
dollars in revenue over a five-year period had they chosen to operate in
the state. Good snow and papal visits notwithstanding, the Colorado Boycott
is resulting in long-term fiscal consequences for the state that voted
against civil rights.

What does this mean for other states, particularly those targeted for
initiatives by the religious right? The Colorado example serves as a
warning to voters, businesses, and political leaders in the other 49
states, attesting to the strength of the determination of activists and
citizens to oppose discrimination and "ballot-box bigotry." Conservative
Governor John Engler of Michigan has stated for the record, "I believe a
Colorado-type amendment would have a negative impact if adopted in
Michigan. Such an Amendment could lead to tourists and convention planners
boycotting our state, which would obviously have an adverse effect on our
economy. Michigan does not need an amendment of this nature" (letter to a
constituent dated 2/16/93).

Boycott Colorado, Inc. stands prepared to fight the battle over Amendment 2
until its eventual repeal. We are unwilling to support a state that sees
fit to deny civil rights and protections to any of its citizens. We are
dedicated to promoting the effectiveness of the boycott nationally to
prevent the spread of any "Amendment 2-style" initiatives that may be
attempted in other states.

The following page lists boycott endorsers as of 6/7/93. In addition to
this list, more than 62 businesses report conventions or business cancelled
in Colorado, andmore than 100 New York City restaurants will not serve
products from the state. Updates on the boycott, or information that
activists can use to discuss the economic impact of anti-gay and lesbian
legislation may be obtained through Boycott Colorado's toll-free line,
1-800-4-BOYCOTT.

Official Boycott Colorado Endorsements

"I believe a colorado-type amendment would have a negative impact if
adopted in michigan. such an amendment could lead to tourists and
convention planners boycotting our state, which would obviously have an
adverse effect on our economy. Michigan does not need an amendment of this
nature." -- Governor John Engler, State of Michigan

National Gay & Lesbian Task Force

United Methodist Church (11 states)

American Friends Service Committee

NAACP of Albuquerque, NM

American Jewish Congress

The New York Times

Western NC AIDS Project

Ken's Travel Bureau

David Nelson Design

Rainbow Grocery (San Francisco)

Minnesota Coalition Against Domestic Violence

DFL Feminist Caucus

Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party

Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Democratic Club, Hayward, CA

Arriba! Ski Club

Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays

National Network of Gay & Lesbian Officials

National Association of Community Health Centers

American Civil Liberties Union (national)

ACLU of Southern Californiia

ACLU of North Carolina

ACLU of New York State

ACLU of Washington State

Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts

National Organization for Women (NOW)

American Public Health Association

Americans for Democratic Action

The Greens/Green Party USA

Ground Zero (Colorado Springs)

The Village Voice

The Knowledge Bowl

American Sociological Association

Dorothy M. Lewis, Assistant Dean, Harvard University

Columbia University Student Association of International and Public
Affairs